58 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

further reference to them at this time is not necessary, as they are madea part of the history of the towns in which they were respectively sit-uated.

CHAPTER VIII.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON, BARONET.

A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF THE FOUKDER OF JOHNSTOWN.

nAVING made frequent reference to that remarkable man knownfirst as William Johnson, land agent; then as Colonel Johnson ;

later as General Johnson, and finally as Sir William, we now propose abrief review of the leading events of his life, though we shall hardly ex-pect to do justice to the most eminent character in the civil and mili-tary record of the province of New York, being limited to a mere out-line of his illustrious career.

William Johnson, the son of Christopher and Anne (Warren) John-son, was born in county Down, Ireland, in the year 1715. His uncle,Sir Peter Warren, had married an American woman, and became pos-sessed of an extensive tract of land in the Mohawk valley. It contained14,000 acres (originally granted in 1735 to Charles Williams) and lo-cated between the Mohawk and Schoharie rivers, in what is now thetown of Florida. In 1738 William Johnson came hither to serve as su-perintendent of this estate, whose development was of great importanceto its proprietor, since the purchase was a speculation from which hehad great hope of financial profit. With this view young Johnson, un-der the direction of his uncle, cleared part of the land, putting it undercultivation, and also surveyed the entire tract, dividing it in a. mannerthat would attract settlers of limited means. An important feature inthis work was the erection of a mill. He also established himself intrade, a store being necessary to public convenience, and thus extendedevery inducement that could assist the new settlement. Later on, inview of the hostility between the British and French, and as well be-

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. r,o

tween the Iroquois Indians and their savage enemies in Canada, heerected a fortress which was called " Fort Johnson," on whose site FortHunter was afterward built. This was his home for several years, andfrom this point all his business operations were extended ; but whiledoing full justice to his patron he omitted no opportunity to advance hispersonal interests, and early won that reputation for fair dealing whichwas always so prominent a feature in his character.

Such a life could not but render the young land agent familiar withthe Indians. He adapted himself to their habits and language, andgained their confidence and enduring friendship. His intercourse withthe Mohawks rendered him popular with the entire Six Nations, whothenceforth regarded him as their friend and protector. As a result hehad no difficulty in acquiring Indian titles to such land as he desired,and he was also serviceable to his friends in procuring similar favors. Tosuch a degree was this acquisition extended that at the time of his deathhe was the owner of various tracts in the country of the Mohawks, andalso in other western nations of the confederacy, to the enormous extentof more than 173,000 acres.

The young land agent, like most adventurers, was unmarried, but hesoon employed a housekeeper, a comely German girl, named CatherineWisenberg, whom he afterwards married l. She became the mother ofthree children, one son (John) and two daughters, one of whom becamethe wife of his nephew, Col. Guy Johnson, and the other the wife ofColonel Daniel Claus. After the death of his wife (the precise date ofwhich is unknown) Johnson, who had then become colonel, took ashousekeeper Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant, the famous Mohawkchief. She bore him eight children, each of whom was abundantlyprovided for in the baronet's will; but as his entire estate was after-wards confiscated and sold, none of his heirs ever possessed their inher-itance.

It was not until George Clinton 2 became governor of the province ofNew York that this " Mr. Johnson " became at all prominent in public

1 This marriage ceremony was performed by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing atFort Hunter, where he officiated in the stone church built by direction of Queen Anne for theMohawk Indians. (Yates)

2 This George Clinton is not to be confounded with our patriotic governor of the same name.

60 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

affairs. He had been previously occupied with the details of business,but with Governor Clinton he appears to have formed an intimatefriendship. About this time (1742) he moved from the Warren tractto the north side of the Mohawk river, locati'flg at a place named by him"Mount Johnson," where he erected a substantial stone mansion, nowowned and occupied by Ethan Akin. In 1745 Johnson was appointedone of the justices of the peace of Albany county, an appointment whichwas the recognition of services among the Indians, holding the latter firmin their allegiance, and thus counteracting their preference of the Frenchstandard, a natural result of the Jesuit influence.

So highly appreciated, indeed, were these services that in 1746 hewas appointed superintendent of Indian affairs in the entire province, aduty which extended through a vast territory. He was, however, sowell known to all the Iroquois that he had their confidence and wasreally the object of their admiration, a natural result of his uniformhonesty as well as decision of character. Such indeed was his popu-larity that the Mohawks adopted him into their nation, making him achief with the title of Warre-haha1. Four years later (1750) oppositionwas created against Colonel Johnson. He was falsely accused of usinghis influence for selfish ends, and while this charge was never sustainedit so embarrassed him that he resigned the superintendency of Indianaffairs; nor would he again accept the office when subsequentlyrequested to resume its duties, until he yielded to Braddock's solicita-tion.

The title of " Colonel Johnson " first appeared in 1746 in correspon-dence which he held with Governor Clinton, and soon afterwards hewas ordered to organize the militia for frontier defence. In obedienceto this commission he formed the Germans and other settlers into militiacompanies ; and thus the former land agent, now known as " ColonelJohnson," having this force under his command, together with hisIndian allies, established a formidable barrier against the so dreadedFrench invasions.

In 1750 Colonel Johnson received a still higher honor, being ap-pointed a member of the governor's council, a body whose decisionscontrolled the highest public interests. His opinions in its deliberations

1 Johnson's Indian name is differentlyjgiven in a preceding chapter.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 61

had a peculiar value because of his familiarity with Indian affairs, andhere he proved eminently useful. As an acknowledgment of hisservices, and also as a compensation for advances and expendituresmade for the public benefit among the Indians, Colonel Johnson wasvoted by the council a belt of land two miles in width surrounding On-ondaga lake, and including, of course, the site of Syracuse, whose saltsprings had even then attracted attention.

We now reach that interval of almost peaceful nature which precededthe last struggle between the French and the British, ,and Colonel John-son improved this opportunity to advance the welfare of his estates,which were rapidly increasing in extent as well as in value; but healso found time to elevate the condition of those around him, and espe-cially to promote the civilization and education of his Indian depend-encies. He became a patron of the mission schools and placed JosephBrant, then one of the most promising Mohawk youths, at the Indianschool in Lebanon. His prominence in public affairs, however, contin-ued, for he, like all other of prophetic ken, foresaw the approachingcrisis.

Jealousy is the inevitable penalty of public service, and the commis-sioners of Indian affairs were envious of his influence among the Iro-quois. The Indians, too, became discontented and inclined to rebelagainst the power that restrained them ; they called loudly for the re-instatement of theirold superintendent, and on this point King Hendrickand his brother, Abraham, were clamorous. In obedience to thisrequest, Johnson submitted a report to the governor on the governmentof the Six Nations, with suggestions for observance. He also placedthe militia of the province in condition for active service.

In 1755 the final conflict for supremacy in America was begun be-tween England and France, and immediately we find Colonel Johnsonforemost in every military expedition. How signally he distinguishedhimself when disaster came to the British arms in every other quarter,is brilliantly recorded on the page of history. On the earnest invita-tion of General Braddock, he attended the military conference at Alex-andria, where he received command both of the provincial militia andthe warriors of the Six Nations in the expedition against Crown Point,his rank being major-general. Braddock also induced Johnson to serve

02 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

as superintendent of Indian affairs, giving him sole power and commis-sioning him to treat with the confederate nations in order to unite themin support of British interests. This investment of authority was fol-lowed by a grand council at Mount Johnson, and the long sought alli-ance was accomplished ; but when General Johnson marched for LakeGeorge the jealousy of Governor Shirley prompted him to use everymeans to discredit Johnson, and even to attempt to win from him thefriendship of the Mohawks in order to rally them under his own standard.

Having previously described the expedition against Crown Point, itis sufficient here to state that it was only through the timely arrivaland persistent efforts of General Johnson that victory was secured.Early in the battle which decided the fate of war, he was wounded J andwas obliged to retire from the field, but while succeeded by GeneralLyman, he still in part directed the action, and yet, notwithstanding itsgrand success, he incurred censure for neglecting to attack the Frenchfort at Crown Point, which some thought might have been capturedeasily, as the enemy was too severely beaten to make a successful de-fense. Instead of doing this Johnson erected Fort William Henry atthe head of Lake George, but whatever may have been the truth of theabove mentioned censure, it is evident that the public was in approvalof Johnson's conduct, and congratulations were freely bestowed bothby the province and the crown. The former tendered him an ovationand public reception in New York city, while the latter made him abaronet, and he was thenceforth known as " Sir William."

Parliament also voted him thanks for his victory, and a more sub-stantial reward was added in the handsome gift of five thousand pounds.These gratuities were followed by a commission as " Colonial Agent,and sole Superintendent of all the affairs of the Six Nations and otherNorthern Indians "

The last mentioned appointment was the source of much gratificationto all the Indians and especially to the Mohawks. About this time,1756, the Pennsylvania Indians became hostile to the colonists, and thesuperintendent was called upon to prevent violence. Several confer-ences were held, and though serious trouble was threatened, it wasaverted by this timely intervention.

1 General Johnson was wounded in the hip, from which he was ever afterward a constant suf-ferer, and no doubt the injuries received in this campaign did much to shorten his life.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 63

Sir William now suffered much from his wound, and this increasedthe burden of public affairs, but when he was called upon to supportWebb at German Flats he responded promptly and witnessed the dis-tress of that cowardly officer on learning of the fall of Oswego. Thenext year he joined the army under Abercombie, having in his owncommand the organized militia of the Mohawk valley, and also his faith-ful Indian allies, but the inefficiency of the commander-in-chief pre-vented his engaging the enemy—a service which he had earnestly re-quested. Disaster at this time attended, public affairs, and in additionto those which befell the army in the Champlain valley, came the de-struction of Palatine village, occurring at a time when Sir William wasconfined to his bed by sickness. As soon, however, as returning healthpermitted he reorganized his militia for active service and marched tothe scene of conflict.

An army was sent against Fort Niagara in 1759, under the commandof Prideaux, but as he was slain at an early time in the siege, SirWilliam succeeded him, and having defeated the attempt to relieve thebeleagured garrison, he eventually secured a signal victory. This cam-paign being ended he returned to Fort Johnson, and it may be addedthat the victories which marked this year really brought the Frenchdominion in Canada to a close, though three years elapsed before theterms of peace were specified by treaty. This pacific interval enabledSir William to attend to his personal affairs, which had suffered muchfor want of care. As has been mentioned, he had acquired large landedestates, having purchased from the original patentees many desirabletracts, among which was included what afterward became the townshipof Johnstown. Impressed with its eligibility he founded a settlementon this spot, though a year or more elapsed before marked progress wasmade in colonization. This work was also retarded by the campaignof 1760, when he with his Mohawk warriors were summoned to the aidof General Amherst in his movement against the now weakened Frenchpositions in the Champlain valley. Serious Indian troubles also oc-curred the next year in the northwest, and his presence as superintendentwas required to pacify the savages and secure an amicable settlementof difficulties. This duty required a journey to far distant Detroit,which Sir William, notwithstanding his infirmities, undertook and ac-

6-4 filSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

complished, being accompanied by his son John and his nephew GuyJohnson. On the return journey the baronet was again prostrated byillness and was obliged to remain several days at Niagara before hecould resume his homeward route.

Peace being now proclaimed, and the Indian troubles practically set-tled, Sir William once more devoted himself to his personal interests.In 1762 he induced one hundred families to settle in his new village ofJohnstown, and as an additional bounty, he gave the Lutherans andPresbyterians each fifty acres of land as a glebe for pastoral support.Previously to this he had erected a summer residence on the northwest-ern border of the great vlaie, in the present town of Broadalbin, towhich he gave the dignified name of Castle Cumberland. He also builta lodge on the south bank of the Sacandaga, in what is now the townof Northampton, where he was acustomed to resort during the fishingseason, and the spot even to the present retains its early name, the" Fish House." Agriculture and stock raising also shared his attention,and to improve the breed of domestic animals he brought blooded sheepand horses into his settlement.

Public affairs, however, soon again required his attention, this beingoccasioned by a disaffection among the Indians in Pennsylvania, andgrievances inflicted on the Mohawks who justly complained that theirlands had been withheld or invaded by the settlers. Such complaintswere familiar to Sir William, who again brought the troubles to a satis-factory close, and the Indians again learned that they had no wiser andfirmer friend than the baronet. The treaty at Easton was made andconfirmed, and Sir William returned to Mount Johnson, where soonafterward (1762) his daughter Nancy was married to Col. Daniel Claus.The remainder of the year was occupied by the baronet in preparinghis timber and other material to be used in the construction of JohnsonHall, an elegant baronial mansion, completed in 1763, and thenceforthhis dwelling until the close of his life. This building still stands withinthe limits of the village of Johnstown. It may, however, be added in-cidentally that the settlers brought to this spot were chiefly Germans,while nearly four miles north he settled a colony of Scotch Highlanders,who were also his dependents and faithful followers. They occupiedthe region until the Revolutionary war, and then by reason of their

' HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

tions to repel invasions and punish outrages, or in negotiating peacetreaties. In 1764 he held a grand council at Niagara, whose most im-portant result was the Senecas ceding to the British government a tractfour miles wide on each side of the Niagara river, and extending fromLake Ontario to Lake Erie. They additionally granted to the baronetall the islands in the same river, which he, in turn, ceded to the crown.At the same time Sir William was greatly disturbed by events otherthan those relating to Indian affairs. The patentees who had purchasedlands of the crown on the promise to satisfy the Indian titles had beenguilty of many unjust dealings, and had succeeded in trapping the un-tutored natives into land conveyances without adequate compensation.The owners sought to occupy and settle under their patents, and theirfraud thus became known to the Mohawks, who, finding themselves thusdefrauded, became deeply indignant. A similar animosity spreadthroughout the Six Nations, and renewed disaster was threatened.

The chief cause of this wide spread discontent was created by thegranting of the patent of Kayaderosseras, an act permitted by the crownand sanctioned by the provincial government. Its proprietors repre-sented to the Indians that the land sought to be obtained by them wouldinclude in extent only enough to make a small farm, and they releasedtheir title for nominal consideration ; in fact the patent included thegreat amount of about 700,000 acres, and the fraud was not discovereduntil the deed of cession had been made. Parts of Montgomery andFulton counties were included by the patent, as will be seen by refer-ence to the previous chapter. Through the efforts of Sir William theMohawks were restored to a part of their lands, and so far as possiblehe rectified the great wrong which they had suffered ; but in this at-tempt he was opposed by powerful political influences exerted by theproprietors, and no small amount of both time and effort was requiredto accomplish the much desired result.

The adverse influences which constantly beset the baronet in theprovince operated in other modes of injury. He had earnestly espousedthe cause of the Indians, being indeed their official protector, thereforereports of his impending removal were circulated. The unscrupulousproprietors justly considered him an obstacle in the way of their nefar-ious designs. That hoped for removal, however, was never accom-

tenant!dejsav\Yir.iarachurch ateacher.!of

" Royal j

was 69,0vill.

In 177.centre, anwith marlnew strcjlive.other.he buin the ithe

Sift WILLIAM JOHNSON.

plished; on the contrary Sir William's influence increased, and he wassoon gratified by the news that his son John, who was then in England,had been knighted by the king. This was conclusive proof of the royalconfidence in the baronet's ability and integrity. During the sameyear (1766) Sir William built a grist-mill for the benefit of his tenants,gave personal attention to the erection of an Episcopal Church atSchenectady, fitted up at his own expense a Masonic lodge room atJohnson Hall, and built commodious stone dwellings for his sons-in- law,Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus, to each of which he added the gift of asquare mile of land. The mansion and estate of Guy Johnson is nowincluded in the suburbs of Amsterdam, and has long been known as" Guy Park "; that of Colonel Claus was located about midway fromMount Johnson to the Park. Sir John Johnson first lived at the Hallwith his father, but having married Miss Mary Watts, of New Yorkcity, on June 29, 1773, they began housekeeping at Mount Johnson.

The restoration of peace again enabled the baronet to give attentionto his much neglected business affairs, He devoted himself to the de-velopment of the estate at the Hall, and also to the improvement of histenantry, while the educational and spiritual welfare of his Mohawkdependents had a full share in his efforts. Many indeed of these oncesavage warriors had become thrifty and successful farmers, and SirWill iam gave them every possible encouragement. He also built achurch at Canajoharie for their use and supplied their school with ateacher. It was at this time of usefulness that the king, in recognitionof his eminent service, granted to him the immense tract called the" Royal Grant," lying between East and West Canada creeks. Its extentwas 69,000 acres, and it included the site of Little Falls and part of thevillage of Herkimer.

In 1771 Johnstown had become a thriving and prosperous businesscentre, and all through the Mohawk valley settlements were increasingwith marked improvement in agriculture. Johnstown soon requirednew streets, for during the year 1770 eighty families had come there tolive. Lumber for building was supplied from the baronet's mill, andother necessaries were furnished through his bounty. In March, 1771,he built St. John's Church, commonly called the " Stone Church," andin the same month advertised in the New York papers for a teacher forthe free school which he had established.

GS HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Notwithstanding, however, the apparent peace and prosperity thatprevailed on every hand, the baronet was seriously troubled both inbody and mind. He was afflicted by a serious malady and every reme-dy failed to restore health. In addition to personal ailment was thatdark cloud which he saw gathering in the political horizon. He wellknew its cause, and evidently forecast the inevitable result. Themother country had burdened the colonies with oppressive measureswhich taxed both their-means and patience beyond endurance. Longyears of experience in public life had made Sir William conversant withthe needs as well as the capacity of the country, and also with thetemperament of the people. He beheld the public grievances, yet waspowerless to remove the burden. A servant of the crown, as well asits beneficiary, he was a sad and silent observer of all that occurred,and his unerring judgment told him at once that a rupture with GreatBritain was inevitable. He did not, however, live to participate in theconflict that followed these premonitory signs and which ended in na-tional independence and the creation of the Republic of the UnitedStates.

Previous to this important event, Sir William became an active factorin the organization of two new counties, being in this movement thecounselor of Governor Tryon, then chief executive of the province.The plan and petition for dividing Albany county was first suggestedin 1769, but the bill for that purpose was opposed and defeated. In1772 another petition was sent to the legislature by Sir William, andafter a brief delay he was gratified to learn that the bill had become alaw. This subject will be more fully discussed in one of the later chap-ters of this work, and yet a brief allusion to it at the present time isappropriate.

The original county of Albany was created in 1683, and was con-firmed in 1691, but its jurisdiction then included the entire province ofNew York, together with that disputed territory then called the " NewHampshire Grants," but now part of Vermont. The bill which waspassed in 1772 divided Albany county and created three counties—Albany, Tryon and Charlotte. Tryon included all that part of theprovince west of the Delaware river and a line extending thence norththrough what is now Schoharie county, and along the east line of Mont-

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

gomery, Fulton and Hamilton counties, and continuing in a straight lineto Canada. Charlotte county included the New Hampshire grantsnorth of the north lines of the towns of Arlington and Sunderland inVermont, and a continuat ion of that line west to the Tryon county line.The remainder of New York, with part of Vermont, constituted Albanycounty.

Sir William lived to see this organization completed. In fact he wasnot only one of its originators but designed its temporary offices, nom-inated those who were elected by the people and Controlled its affairsduring his lifetime. Johnstown was designated the county seat. Thecourt-house and jail were built the same year, the first term of courtbeing held in September. The baronet also, at the suggestion of thegovernor, divided the new county into provincial districts', or town-ships they would now be called.

During 1772, Governor Tryon, accompanied by his wife, visited SirWilliam's palatial home, the ostensible object being to hold a councilwith the Mohawks, but in reality it was to learn what might be themost desirable lands in that region, for the worthy governor had a de-sire to speculate. During his stay, however, he reviewed the variousregiments of troops under Sir William's command—three in number,one being composed of residents of Johnstown and its vicinity. Inrecognition of Sir William's services in organizing so effective a bodyof militia, Governor Tryon soon honored him with a commission asmajor-general of the northern department, a position he held dur ingthe remainder of his life.

From this time unt i l 1774 we have a quiet interval, but in the lastmentioned year Indian troubles again demanded the attention of thesuperintendent, arising from a revolt in Pennsylvania, which seriouslythreatened the peace of the Six Nations. Johnson, although unfit forduty by reason of illness, consented to hold a council at the hall. Sixhundred of the confederates were present, and the baronet addressedthe chiefs and sachems for two hours, all the time being exposed to theburning heat of a July sun. The exertion required by such an effortproduced a fit, from which he died the next day, July I I , 1774. "Hisfuneral," says a reliable authority, " was the most solemn demonstra-tion the colonies up to that time had ever witnessed. The clergyman

To 'HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

in attendance was the Rev. Mr. Stewart, missionary at Fort Hunter,and the funeral procession numbered over 2,000, including colonial dig-nitaries and Indians, who were bereaved of a lifelong friend. He wasburied in a vault erected beneath the floor of St. John's church for thefamily, but he was the only one of the number who ever occupied it."

Sir William, six months before his death, prepared a will disposing ofhis property and estate, by which he made abundant provisions for thechildren born to him by Catherine Wisenberg and Molly Brant, andalso to other beneficiaries, but his principal devisee was his son, SirJohn, who inherited the estate at Johnstown with other vast tracts ofland, and to whom also descended the influence and power exercised bythe baronet over the Six Natiofis. One especial injunction in Sir Will-iam's will clearly indicates the true character of the testator; it reallyrevealed his heart: "I do earnestly recommend to my son to showlenity to such of the tenants as are poor, and an upright conduct withall mankind, which will on reflection afford more satisfaction to a nobleand generous mind than the greatest opulence." But the will of thebaronet, although elaborately prepared, and legally signed and wit-nessed, was never executed.

Had Sir William lived it is confidently believed he would haveespoused the cause of the colonies against the mother country, in whichevent one of the most magnificent estates in the country would havebeen confirmed to him, but his successors, and particularly his son SirJohn, allied themselves to the British, and as a result the estate wasconfiscated and sold for the public benefit.

While Sir John Johnson succeeded to the baronial estate of his father,and alsov as far as possible, to his influence among the Indians, the officeof superintendent of Indian affairs was committed to Colonel Guy John-son, assisted by Colonel Daniel Claus, the latter having been deputysuperintendent to Sir William in Canada.